Venice is a city full of secrets. If you venture off the beaten path, you’ll discover a Venice that is peaceful, majestic, and surprisingly easy to explore. On this page, we’ll share with you Our Best Tips and Tricks – From exclusive photo spots to practical tips. Honest, well-researched, and drawn directly from real-world experience to help you succeed in the City of the Lagoon.
A line at the Doge's Palace? With this simple ticket trick, you can just walk right past it
The Doge's Palace is a must-see on any trip to Venice. But anyone who not If you want to set a specific date weeks in advance, you'll often find yourself facing a long line at the box office. But there's a simple trick you can use to skip the line and still enjoy maximum flexibility.
A Hidden Gem on St. Mark's Square: An Oasis of Calm at the Museo Correr
If you want to leave the hustle and bustle of St. Mark’s Square behind for a moment without losing the spectacular view, you’ll find an almost forgotten haven of tranquility at the back of the square. While most visitors crowd between St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile, hidden away in the Napoleonic Wing (Ala Napoleonica) a true oasis for connoisseurs.
Watch out for con artists with clipboards at the Salute
Don't let nasty scams ruin your stay. We'll report on the current situation in front of the Salute Church and explain why even the church leadership had to put up official warning signs.
Venice from the Upper Deck: The Ultimate Photo Tip for the Skyline
Most visitors to Venice are familiar with the Line 2 vaporetti that plow through the Giudecca Canal. What hardly anyone knows, however, is that there’s a far more stable and spectacular alternative for photographers looking to capture the city’s famous skyline—the large car ferry.
The most important money-saving tip for your stay:
The Vaporetto Ticket
Venice is a city built on water. To truly understand and experience it, you have to get out on the water. If we could give you just one tip for your trip, it would be this: Get a multi-day vaporetto ticket for the duration of your stay.
At first, it may sound like a minor decision, but it’s probably the most important „investment“ you can make in the quality of your vacation.
Shop on a budget right on St. Mark's Square: The „hidden“ supermarket
Venice has a reputation for being an expensive place. But anyone looking for an affordable supermarket near St. Mark’s Square will be surprised: just a few steps away from the magnificent buildings, there’s a place where you can stock up on groceries at completely normal prices. In this guide, you’ll learn how to find this hidden spot.
Parking in Venice: The Ultimate Insider Tip for Budget-Conscious Travelers and Connoisseurs
If you park directly in Venice’s parking garages, you’ll often pay between €35 and €45 per day. But there’s an alternative that not only saves you money but also turns your vacation into an adventure right from the moment you arrive. This option is a real hidden gem, especially for vacationers coming from the Adriatic coast (Jesolo, Cavallino, Bibione) and those traveling from the east.
Venice with Kids
Traveling to cities with children can often be a tiring ordeal for both parents and kids. Everyone has different interests. Find out here what’s particularly worth seeing and interesting for kids in Venice. That way, you and your children can really enjoy the city.
Expert Tip: Eat and Drink „Like the Venetians“
Expert Tip: At the Rialto Market – Al Merca
In Venice, it’s the same as throughout Italy: Breakfast isn’t considered one of the main meals and is NOT celebrated at length. Aside from festivals and special occasions, lunch isn’t usually the main meal of the day either. But for for a quick snack between meals They're all ready.
Grand Canal: A gondola ride for 2.00 euros
That's because the wide Grand Canal lies between the fish market and the Ca d’Oro. And it is precisely these two opposite banks that are connected by a gondola.
The stop at the Fish Market is right in front of the fish market hall on the Grand Canal. You can't miss it. The stop is marked with the word "Traghetto" (ferry). Most passengers simply stand during the short crossing.
This short gondola ride costs 2 euros per person. There are many such ferry services across the Grand Canal. The Venetians themselves use them extensively.
A Prime Spot by the Water: Why Café Nico Offers More Than Just Ice Cream
Venice is famous for its winding alleys and hidden courtyards. But if you want to leave the confines of the historic center behind for a moment, you’ll be looking for open spaces, light, and the glittering horizon. That’s exactly what you’ll find in a place that many know only for its ice cream: the Gelato Nico at the Zattere.
My Expert Tip on Tipping in Venice
In Italy, the culture of paying the bill differs fundamentally from the customs in the D-A-CH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). To help you feel confident the next time you dine out, I’ve summarized the typical process for you here.
The Best Time to Visit Venice: When Is the Best Time to Go?
One of the most frequently asked questions by visitors to Venice is: When is the best time to travel? If you look at the raw numbers, the answer seems clear. With 20 to 30 million visitors annually, roughly half a billion people have voted with their feet in the last two decades alone. This enormous number is no coincidence—people usually know very well when the lagoon city shows its most beautiful side.
Shopping in Venice: Where to Find Groceries and Supermarkets
For a long time, grocery shopping was hardly an issue for visitors to Venice. Those staying at hotels enjoyed breakfast or half-board there. Even for the millions of day-trippers from the Adriatic, a trip to the supermarket in the lagoon plays no role—no one wants to lug heavy bags through the narrow streets when there are huge markets with convenient parking lots in resort towns like Jesolo or Bibione.
The Blue Hour in Venice: The Moment When the City Comes Alive for Photographers
Photographers are familiar with this phenomenon, but very few actually use it: the Blue Hour. Almost every textbook says: Once the sun has disappeared below the horizon, don't pack up your gear just yet. Hang in there for another half hour, because that's when the magic begins. While the crowds head out for dinner as soon as the sun begins to set, for connoisseurs, the most precious time of the day begins.
My personal favorites:
If I could give you just 4 tips, they would be these:
- Take the grand panoramic tour on Vaporetto Line 2 or by private water taxi. Stop at the San Giorgio Maggiore Monastery and climb up to the observation tower. We promise this will be a highlight of your visit to Venice. Be sure to take a short break at the Zattere stop on Line 2. Gelateria da Nico has the best ice cream in town. And the panoramic view from its terrace is unbeatable.
- Take a stroll through St. Mark's Square in the evening and enjoy the unique atmosphere. You'll be talking about it for years to come. (You don't have to sit down at a café if it's too expensive for you.) You can stand, dance, or wander from café to café, always following the music.
- Attend a performance of Vivaldi's „Four Seasons“ with the Interpreti Veneziani, as described in this guide. It will be a memory you'll cherish forever—even if you're not usually a fan of classical music.
- Large sections of the Grand Canal have NO promenade. You can only see the city’s most beautiful palazzi if you take Line 1 (or Line 2) all the way along the Grand Canal. An ACTV ticket valid for 24 hours or longer is your best investment for a successful stay here in Venice.
A nice little gift
Unfortunately, even the longest stay in Venice comes to an end.
- And what remains?
- The memory?
- The pictures you took yourself?
There's also something practical: At Café Florian, right on St. Mark's Square, you can buy an espresso cup for 29.00 euros or a larger cappuccino cup for 35.00 euros as a lasting souvenir.
The mugs have a particularly beautiful bell-shaped design and immediately remind you of the Shape of the Bells up in the Campanile, high above Café Florian. You can use this mug every day, making it a practical memento of your stay in Venice.
By the way: We do NOT receive any commission. Café Florian is not aware of this recommendation. We use this espresso cup ourselves every day.
Have you discovered a hidden gem yourself?
Venice is a city of discoveries. Have you found a special spot yourself, discovered an accessible route, or have a tip that would make other visitors’ stay more enjoyable?
We welcome your feedback!
Simply use the form below. We review every tip personally and will be happy to add it (with your name, if you wish) to this page so that all Venice lovers can benefit from it.“